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Aldemon's Daughter 

(CASSILDA.) 



1 
y 1 

ragedy in prose in Four Acts.) 



BY 



FERlSr^DOKBESSON, A. B., A. M. 



All rights of reproduction and translation reserved. 



NEW YORK, 
Press of T. A. WRIGHT, 313 Canal Street. 



Aldemon's Daughter 

(CASSILDA) 
(Tragedy in prose in Four Acts.) 

BY 

/ 

FERJSL DORBESSOJNT, A. B., 




All rights of reproduction and translation reserved. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1890, by FERN. DORBESSON, 
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



NEW YORK, 
1890. 



All correspondence concerning this play received at 
No. 40Q West 13th Street, New York City, N. Y. 



TMPS2-00912C 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



Don Sebastian : Young Officer of the Spanish Army. 

Don Garcias : General of the Spanish Troups — Prisoner. 

Eulogius : Chaplain of the Spanish Troups — Prisoner. 

Ben David : Rich Jew of Toledo. 

Julian : Intendant of Don Garcias's Castle. 

Aldemon : f Prince Emir of Toledo. 

Yaha : Prince Emir of Saragossa. 

Ali : 8 { First Officer at the Court of Aldemon. 

w 

Hakem : ist Chief of the Guards of Aldemon. 

Faki : ^ 2d Chief of the Guards of Aldemon. 

Cassilda : Daughter of Aldemon. 
Dona Uracca : Wife of Don Garcias. 
Dona Elvira : Daughter of D. Uracca. 
Julia : Companion of Cassilda. 

Guards, Soldiers, Moors, Christians, Jews. 



SCENES : 

Castle of D. Garcias. 

Palace of Aldemon in Toledo. 



A.OT I. 

The Theatre represents the entrance of the garden to the Castle 
of Don Qarcias. 



When the curtain rises, a few soldiers with an officer are seen 
coming in with caution. 



Hakem {chief of the soldiers) : At last we have arrived, I think, 
to the castle of D. Garcias. 

ist Soldier : But how can we ascertain whether the Christian 
knight lived here or not. 

2d Soldier : For sure, I know this to be the place which the 
Princess Cassilda used to frequent before D. Garcias became 
the prisoner of Aldemon ; I have also heard that she was still 
continuing her visits to the alleged son of D. Garcias. 

Hakem : Have you ever seen him ? 

2d Soldier : I never saw his face. 

Hakem {to the ist soldier) : And you, what can you say about 
him. 

ist Soldier : I would be very much embarrassed if I had to 
capture such a man ; I never heard of him before. 

Hakem : Then what to do ! However let us consider the matter ; 
we must capture him at any price — {After a pause, to the ist 
soldier) — What have you to say ? 

ist Soldier : The best thing to do is to lay hold upon the wife 
and daughter of D. Garcias, and take them captives to the 
palace of Aldemon. 

Hakem : That's a capital idea ! From them we will surely obtain 
all information necessary to carry out our plan. Now let us 
retire, boys ; we must not be seen by any one. 

2d Soldier : It is time, for I see somebody coming this way. 



Hakem : Two ladies ! they must be the wife and the daughter ; 
let us retire. {Exeunt?) 

{Dona Uracca and Dona Elvira come in and sit on a bench- 
Soon after, another lady comes in ; it is Cassilda. D. Elvira 
goes to mett her.) 

D. Elvira [to D. Uracca) : It is Cassilda ! 

D. Uracca : How happy and consoled I feel in seeing yon 
Cassilda ! Whatever may be the news you bring, you are 
always an angel of consolation to us. {There is a little pause?) 
I see by your very looks that there is very little hope. 

Cassilda : It is true, my father's hatred seems to increase ; but 
as long as D. Garcias is alive, have hope. 

D. Uracca : Hope against hope ! ! ! Aldemon never had any 
pity ! What can I expect from him ! He still wants to 
capture D. Sebastian ; his hatred against him is even greater 
than the one he bears towards my husband ! 

Cassilda : But my love is stronger ! 

D. Uracca : Dreams of youth that pass away like a shadow ! 

{Hakem and his soldiers are seen to come in again with drawn 

swords ; Elvira sees them and cries out.) 

D. Elvira : What is this ! Soldiers with drawn swords ! 

Hakem : You are my prisoners ! 

Cassilda : In what name ? 

Hakem : In the name of Prince Aldemon. 

Cassilda : Shall the daughter become the prisoner of her 
father ! {to Hakem.) Hakem, do not dare to lay thine hands 
on these ladies. 

Hakem {astonished) : The only thing I want is to know where is 
D. Sebastian. 

Cassilda : And what has Don Sebastian to meddle with thee ! 

Hakem : The great prince whom I serve, wants him to be taken 
dead or alive, for his hatred towards him is as deep as hell ; 
and, as I have never seen him before, I must by all means 



find out where he hides himself. 

D. Uracca : Aldemon has already captured my husband ; he 
can also, if his hatred is not satisfied, take his wife and his 
daughter ; as to betray the presence of our most devoted 
friend, we shall never do it ! 

Cassilda (to Hakeni) : Before thee I stand to protect him ; and 
my body shall be a rampart to his body. 
(Hakem moves a little more forward?) 

Cassilda : Away ! Who art thou to dare to insult these ladies ! 
In the name of Aldemon I order thee to retire. Do not 
attempt to come nearer. 

D. Uracc a : Do not expose yourself to the wrath of Aldemon, 
and thus increase our affliction. 

Cassilda : My duty is to protect and to defend you even against 
the wrath of Prince Aldemon. 

( While she is saying these words D. Sebastian comes without 
being noticed ; he takes the sword of one of the soldiers out of 
his hands, and interferes between the ladies and the soldiers) 

D. Sebastian : In what state do I see you, noble ladies. What 
does all this mean ? [He recognizes Cassilda ;) And thee 
also ! (He extends his hands to her ; but she refuses to take it, 
and with a nod of the head makes him understand to not 
betray his presence) 

D. Elvira : Don S— ! ! ! ! 

(Cassilda put her hand on the mouth of I). Elvira to prevent 
her from pronouncing the name of Don Sebastian) 

Hakem [advancing, to D. Sebastian) : What is thy name ? Who 
art thou to dare to interfere ? 

D. Sebastian (drawing out his sword): This sword will answer 
thee, if thou darest to advance any further. 
Cassilda takes the other sword which D. Sebastian hands to 
her) 

Hakem : Before women I will not spill blood ; and furthermore 
thy unexperienced youth moves me with pity. „ 



8 

D. Sebastian : I never cared for the pity of men like thee ; for 
a noble and generous soul valor has no age. {To the ladies)) 
Retire, I pray you, so that I may teach that bronze-headed 
man, how to speak before gentle ladies. 

Cassilda : Thy life is mine ! Thou shalt not for a trifle like 
this, expose thyself to shed such generous blood. 

D. Sebastian : Cassilda ! ! ! 

{Haken, astounded at hearing that name, draws back) 

Cassilda {to Haken) : Retire ! Nevermore in this place again 
show thy face. {Haken and his 7nen retire. D. Lracca and 
Elvira leave the stage. 

Cassilda [throwing herself into the arms of D. Sebastian:) O 
Sebastian ! My dearest Sebastian ! No longer can I control 
the impatient love of my heart ! Why didst thou betray my 
presence ! 

D. Sebastian : Dost thou think I could remain impassible before 
that villain ! ! His blood would not have been too much to 
wash that insult ! The day of reparation soon will come. 

Cassilda : O my Sebastian ! Calm thine impetuosity, and let 
us speak of our love. 

D. Sebastian : Thou truly lovest me ! 

Cassilda ; With thee alone in my heart, I feel I can be happy. 
Do not refuse me that happiness. 

D. Sebastian : Blessed be the day when first I met thee ! Will 
Prince Aldemon consent to our union ? Does he not intensely 
hate Christians, whose laws thou knowestnot yet ! 

Cassilda : Thy God, thy religion shall also be mine. 

D. Sebastian : Thou hast not considered what will be the dis- 
grace thou will encounter near thy father. Rank, honor, 
dignities, riches, are forever gone-; thou loseth all by taking 
me. 

Cassilda : I lose more by losing thee. 

D. Sebastian : Thy heart is greatly noble, Cassilda, and before 
God, who sees us, to thee alone I devote all my life. 



Cassilda : How hast thou fared since I saw thee last ? 

D. Sebastian : To tell the truth, more enemies, more dangers 
seem to surround me. 

Cassilda : I know it, dearest Sebastian ; many envy our hap- 
piness, and even to this place spies are sent to watch all thy 
movements. But do not despair ; we shall soon withdraw all 
obstacles put in our way. Now I must hasten to the palace 
of my father ; I shall meet thee again, either here or in 

Toledo. Be on thy guard. {She clings to the neck of D. 

Sebastian, starting off:) Oh ! I pray thee, take care of thy- 
self. My love to thee, dear Sebastian. 

D. Sebastian : All to thee, forever, beloved Cassilda. {Cassilda 
leaves the stage.) This is strange ! Why did she leave me so 

soon ? Spies are sent even to this place to watch all my 

movements ! — What does all this mean ? Aldemon hates 

Christians ; I know it too well ! It is a sufficient motive why 
he should hate me ! Will I, like a coward, turn my back to the 
enemy, and abandon the one I love ! Oh ! No ! Never ! Far 
from me such a thought ! Death alone will separate me from 
my treasure O Cassilda, for thee to heaven, I send my 
best prayer {Dona Uracca comes back ; she gives her hand 
to D. Sebastian.) 

D. Uracca : I am very much indebted to you, D. Sebastian; 
heaven has sent you at the time we needed the most your 
assistance. You have restored us to liberty, and yourself have 
escaped from the hands of your most dangerous enemy. {At 
that time the sound of the horn is heard. ) 

D. Sebastian : Is it friend or foe ? 

D. Uracca : Listen (Another sound is heard:) It is Julian, 

who has returned from Toledo, where I sent him to intercede 
near Aldemon for the deliverance of D. Garcias. It was our 
last hope of success ! {Dona Elvira comes in.) 

D. Elvira {she has a casket in her hands:) Oh ! Mother ! ! ! 

D. Uracca: Have courage, my daughter; lift thine eyes up. to 
heaven, and hope. 



10 

D. Elvira : Yes, I do hope, dearest mother, the day of deliver- 
ance is not far distant ; but let me follow thy example, and by 
my offerings, contribute to the release of my father. Thou 
hast given away everything ; it is but right I should do the 
same. Therefore, [taking the diamond casket) take these dia- 
monds and pearls, these bracelets, {she takes them from her 
wrists.) My beloved father gave them to me, when all around 
bade our hearts to rejoice ; to-day, suddenly plunged into the 
deepest misfortune, I willingly sacrifice them, to hasten his 
return among us. 

D. Sebastian : Heaven, I hope, noble lady, will grant our prayers. 
Such a generosity will eonquer. 

D. Uracca : But what have we done more than our duty ? Where 
is the wife who for her beloved husband in chains, would not 
sacrifice everything ? And Elvira has done no more than her 
duty. There is no child who for his father's release, would 
not sacrifice all, even his own life, if required. 

D. Elvira : Yes, mother, I would willingly give my life for my 
unfortunate father. Ah ! Why am I not a man, then it seems 
to me ! ! ! {She bursts into tears.) 

D.Sebastian [greatly moved:) The sight of a wife mourning 
her husband, the tears of a daughter calling her father, deeply 
move my heart. I also, as much as I can, wish to work for 
the deliverance of Don Garcias. 

D. Uracca : But consider how hard and impossible the task is ; 
do not expose yourself to new dangers and increase our 
affliction, by causing us to lose our most devoted friend. 

D. Sebastian : Be without fear ; to a generous and noble heart 
nothing is impossible. You have not yet tried everything. 
Heaven, who inspires me with this courage, will also guide 
my steps and protect me against the attacks of the enemy. 
[Julian comes in, slow and sad.) 

D. Uracca : What news, Julian ? 

Julian : According to your orders, I proceeded to Toledo to 
present your letter to Aldemon, who received me with a dis- 
dain equal to his hatred. To my request thus he answered : 



11 

" Thou thinkest that the small sum of two hundred thousand 
golden sous is sufficient for the ransom of such a prisoner ! 
Go back to thy country and announce to thy mistress that she 
can convert all she possesses into gold ; she will never realize 
the sum I require for her husband's release." I did all that I 
could in order to move his heart — harder than the rock itself. 
I knelt before him with supplicating eyes, humbly praying 
him to release Don Garcias. However, he listened to my 
request and answered : " Thy supplications have moved my 
heart. Yes, I will send back Don Garcias to his beloved 
wife — but a corpse." Oh ! I let you imagine what I suffered 
in my heart. 

D. Sebastian : And thou didst not strike him with thy sword ! 

Julian : I would have done it, but he had already retreated in 
the midst of his guards. Then being not able to remain any 
longer in the presence of that blood-thirsty tiger, " Heaven," 
I said, " will avenge this insult, and perhaps to-morrow thou 
will bs the prisoner of thy prisoner." Such is the result of my 
journey to Toledo. 

D. Uracca : Our last hope has then vanished, Julian. 

D.Elvira (Falling into her mother 's arms :) I shall never see 
my father again on this earth ! 

Julian : All earthly hope seems to be lost ; as you have done all 
that you possibly could do, and nothing has been attained 
However, there is no reason why we should despair, as Don 
Garcias is still alive. 

D. Sebastian : As Julian says, all hope is not yet lost. I will go 
to Toledo and speak to that monster ; I will force him to 
surrender the prey which he thinks to possess forever. 

D. Uracca : What ! Don Sebastian, you wish to encounter that 
cruel Prince whose heart nothing can move ! What will you 
be able to do in the capital of the Emir, where all your move- 
ments will be closely watched ? Consider, my young friend, 
where you are going and what dangers will surround you ! 
Do you think that Aldemon will yield to your menaces ? 



12 

D. Sebastian : Yield he must, or he will have to die ! Do you 
think I can remain impassible when I see my protector, my 
father enchained in the prison of our most cruel enemy ? 

D. Uracca : How consoling to me is your presence in this ex- 
tremity ! Yes, in misfortune, in sorrow we know our true 
friends ; and your presence, Don Sebastian, tells me that you 
would do anything to save my husband. 

D. Sebastian : What shall I say ? In vain would I endeavor to 
console you ; I feel that words are not needed here. It is 
not by their words, but their deeds that men are valued. I 
have resolved to deliver D. Garcias, nothing can retain me 
here any longer. I must go at once, and would to heaven my 
prayer be granted, D. Garcias will be set free before three 
days. 

D. Uracca : Thus you are going to sacrifice your life to save my 
husband ! I think you had better wait until the daybreak ! 

D. Sebastian : I cannot stay any longer ; I must leave at once, 
for I wish to be in Toledo before morning. {He bends the 
knee before D. Uracca^) 

D. Uracca : May God guide your steps and give you victory ! 



ACT. II. 

At Toledo. Aldemon' s Palace. 



A priso?i is seen on the rear of the stage ; on each side a door 

which leads to the palace. Don Sebastian is alone onpicket 

duty as a guard of the prison, and walks back and 

forth on the front of the stage. 



D. Sebastian : Twice I have been on guard before these prisons 
without having been able to discover the slightest trace of 
Don Garcias. I have asked the names of the prisoners, and I 
have never heard anything concerning my unfortunate friend. 
{He listens and hears a prisoner singing.) However I am in 
the palace of cruel Aldemon. Oh ! that I might find the cell 
where Don Garcias is enchained, and {then turning back, he 
stops, listens, and looks befo?e him) But! what! I seem to 
distinguish human forms advancing toward me. Now, I must 
be ready for any event. {Aldemon, Ali and Faki appear. Faki 
has a torch in his hand) 

Aldemon {to Faki:) Art thou sure of that man ? 

Faki : Yes, my lord and master ; he is one of the best soldiers 
of your body-guard ; he is afraid of nothing. 

Aldemon : Then let him come with us, we may have use for his 
sword. {Don Sebastian is ordered to follow ; they go toward 
the rear of the stage, through a dark corridor.) 

Cell of D. Garcias. — On the left or right side a man is seen kneeling. 

Ali, {shaking D. Garcias :) Arise and bend thy knee before thy 
lord and master. 

D. Garcias : My homages are due to God alone. 

Aldemon : Dost thou think I am unworthy of thy notice and 
respect ? Knowest thou who I am, miserable slave ? that I 
can have thee put to death, and wash in thine blood all thy 
taunts and insults ? 



14 

D. Garcias : Is it thyself, Aldemon ? Thou hast not sufficient 
time, all day long, to torment thy victims ; to satiate thy 
sanguinary hate against them, at night thou comest. My life, 
take it from me, my body, torture it with the most cruel tor- 
tures that hell can suggest to thee ; but my soul and my heart 
remain free from thy attacks. Thou triumphest now, but fear 
that victory may not last forever. Above is a Master, more 
powerful than thyself, and who shall be thy judge. 

Aldemon (furious :) Tongue of viper, will thou always hiss and 
bite ? Am I here to be insulted by thee, cursed Christian ? 
Knowest not thou that I have but to raise my hand to see 
thine head roll in the dust at my feet. 

D. Garcias : Who prevents thee from doing it ? Have I ever 
begged for thy mercy ? I am indeed thy prisoner, but thy 
slave I am not. To me death would be a happy release ; it 
would be the greatest happiness procured to me. Why doest 
thou hesitate ? Day and night I pray to the Lord to inspire 
thee with this act worthy of such a merciful prince. 

Aldemon : Hold thy tongue ; Thy prayer is granted, get thy- 
self ready. I can no longer bear these insults. (To Don 
Sebastian?) Guard, be ready to avenge this insult ; do thy 
duty, stand by my side. (D. Sebastian approaches with drawn 
sword ready to strike, not Don Garcias, but A ldemon.)—Beiore 
I give the signal to behead thee, thou canst, supberb Chris- 
tian, implore my pity. 

D. Garcias : Thy pity ! thou never hadst any ! What can a 
soul like thine think of, but blood and carnage ? Strike ! I 
am not afraid to die. 

Aldemon: No mercy for this rascal! Guard obey ! (At this 
command Don Sebastian steps backward, waves his sword, 
ready to strike. Suddenly a bright light fills the cell ; a woman 
clothed in white, and covered with a veil appears?) 

Cassilda : Down with thy sword ! (to Aldemon.) And thou, do 
not attempt to slaughter this innocent victim for I am his 
guardian ! (she disappears.) (Faki and A li being frightened 
rush away?) 



15 

Aldemon : What was that ? Where did the sudden brightness 
which enlightened the cell come from ? Who was that 
mysterious being ? Have you seen her before ? Did she 
come either from heaven or the deep regions of hell ! 

Ali : For some time past, that mysterious being has shown her- 
self in the halls of the prison ; the guards, as they related to 
me, could never attack her, she always had disappeared be- 
fore they could reach her. I hesitated to have any confidence 
in their statements, until now, that I have seen the fact with 
my own eyes. I thought for a long time that it was an 
hallucination of their mind ; but to-day there is no more 
doubt about that mysterious being. 

Aldemon : None of my courageous guards could approach her ? 

Faki : No, my lord and master, it is neither prudent nor safe to 
meddle with those children of Eblis. They have more power 
than men ; the sword and the arrow rashly directed against 
them, is sure to recoil on the aggressor. 

Aldemon : Would this mysterious creature be opposed to the 
execution of this cursed Christian ? However, he will have 
to die, before three days. I cannot support the outrageous 
insults of that viper's tongue. {He walks away, looking at D. 
Garcias.) Thou wilt not escape punishment, cursed Christian ! 
{Exeunt.) 

D. Sebastian, {remaining alone:) At last, I have discovered the 
cell where my poor friend is cruelly held. Now with more 
assiduity I must work for his escape ; Aldemon and his officers 
did not suspect my intention when I drew out my sword, ready 
to strike. It was not Don Garcias, but thyself, cruel tyrant, I 
would have pierced with my sword, had not that mysterious 
apparition ordered me to lower it, {He walks without speaking) 
but what shall I do ? Will not Aldemon have me watched by 
his spies ? Nothing will stop me in my undertaking ; I will, 
I must deliver Don Garcias. What have I to fear ? Does not 
heaven seem to be favorable to my cause ? The struggle will 
be long and hard, perhaps bloody, but I will not yield. Victory 
is for those who have a noble and generous soul. The time of 
my picket duty will soon be over. The moments are precious, 



16 

and the delay of one hour might be fatal to my friend. [Don 
Sebastian goes toward the cell of Don Garcias, and tries to 
shake the door. — only the walls of the cell are seen. In a low 
voice,'] Don Garcias ! Don Garcias ! 

D. Garcias : Who is calling me ? Where does that friendly 
voice come from ? 

D. Sebastian : I am Don Sebastian. 

D. Garcias : Good Heavens ! Is it you, Sebastian ? What happy 
or unhappy circumstances have driven you to this dark place ? 

D. Sebastian : I have come to deliver you from your chains. 

D. Garcias : May God grant you success. But how have you 
been able to reach the palace of Aldemon, and come so near 
me ? 

D. Sebastian : Hearing from D. Uracca that you were held in 
captivity by Aldemon, I resolved to deliver you from his 
hands. It is with this intention that I have enrolled among 
the guards of the Emir. A long time I have looked for the cell 
where you are unjustly kept, and not until now have I been 
able to discover it. 

D. Garcias : Oh ! Sebastian ! Since you have seen my wife and 
daughter, speak a few words of them. 

D. Sebastian : They are both well, Don Garcias ; they still hope 
to see you again, but now there is no time to speak of them. 
We must both work hard for your deliverance. I have re- 
solved to try everything. 

D. Garcias : You have not considered the difficulty of such an 
undertaking, and the great dangers you will encounter. 

D Sebastian : There are neither dangers nor difficulties for 
me, I fear none ; but let us hurry. Take these files and 
chisels with this poniard ; hasten by the aid of these imple- 
ments to force the locks. [They commence to work and try to 
shake the door.] Cheer up your mind ; don't lose one moment, 
heaven seems to be in your favor ; the night is dark and a 
fearful storm is prevailing. [The rain and thunder are heard.] 
Do you not hear the rain falling against the walls, and the 



17 

thunder rolling ? At this very moment we are alone, for 
Aldemon and his officers are plunged in the most voluptuous 
pleasures of the table. Now listen to me : I am going to leave 
in order that I may not attract the attention of our enemies by 
my absence. I shall return soon ; continue your work, and 
when your chains will be broken and the locks of your cell 
forced, then you will be free. A horse as swift as the wind 
will await you ; disguised as a Sclavonian guard, you will be 
able to escape from Toledo safely, and pass the frontier of 
the kingdom. 

D Garcias : And you, my dearest friend ? 

D. Sebastian : I will not be long in following you. (D. Sebastian 
leaves for a ?no?nent.) 

D. Garcias, (to himself): I cannot understand how he has been 
able to penetrate into these prisons ; however it is really 
Sebastian, who, a few years ago, used to fight at my side. I 
remember nothing would have frightened him, he is still the 
same. {Sebastian returns with other tools, and something heavy 
falls.) I have forced two locks. (At this moment Hake?n 
appears on the stage without being seen by Don Sebastia?i and 
Don Garcias.) 

Hakem, (to himself): I hear human voices at this advanced 
hour in the night ! (He advances.) 

D. Sebastian, (at the same moment to Don Garcias.) Courage 
and perseverance/ (they t?y to shake the dooi ,) in a few hours 
more you will be free, and God's angels will guide our way 
out of this palace (Sebastian is about to leave when Hakem 
seizes him by the shoulder.) 

Hakem : But those few hours will never come, perfidious traitor ! 
(Sebastian tearing himself from his grasp, draws his sword.) 

D. Sebastian : Art thou sure of it ? 

Hakem : Thy sword, cursed knave ? 

D. Sebastian : Come, and take it, if thou darest ! 

Hakem, (draws his sword) : Ah ! Thou refusest ! 



18 

D. Sebastian : Hakem ! The day of reparation has come ! Get 
thee ready to go to Pluto's dark kingdom ! 

Hakem : ^Damnation ! The knight ! Guards ! Treason ! {They 
fight ; Hakem falls mortally wounded. A guard comes in.) 
Guard ! no mercy ; here is your enemy. [Sebastian kills the 
guard, and another is also killed ; then four come at once, and 
Sebastian retires to the corner of the stage. At this moment 
Cassilda appears and orders the guards to leave. They leave?) 

Cassilda : O Sebastian ! How didst thou dare to fight against 
the guards of my father ? 

D. Sebastian : Thou hast come to save me ! 

Cassilda : Like a mother, over thee I have been watching. {She 
stops to listen.) But come immediately, I think I hear my 
father coming. Let us hurry and shun his presence ; thy life 
is in danger ; come at once and lose no time. {They leave the 
stage. Aldemon arrives, accompanied by several guards?) 

Aldemon : What horror ! my guards killed ! {He advances and 
sees Hakem) Hakem himself lies down without life. What 
does all this mean, Ali ? 

Ali : These dead men, these swords without their masters, all 
this shows that there has been a dreadful conflict. 

Aldemon : Have the prisoners escaped ? Look Ali ! I hope 
Don Garcias has not broken his chains ; he is a treasure far 
more precious to me than all the jewels of the world. 

Ali, {returning) : No one has escaped, my lord and master. 

Aldemon : But how wilt thou explain this carnage ? I must, in 
spite of all, clear this mystery ! Where is the guard who was 
here a short time ago ? He certainly knows something about 
this matter. 

Ali : I have seen no guard in this place. {Speaking to the 
guards.) Do you know the name of that soldier ? 

One of the Guards : His name was Sebastian, a young soldier 
lately admitted among the guards of our most clement prince ; 
his soul was fiercely proud, afraid of nothing. 



19 

Ali : Sebastian ! {to one of the guards .) Look carefully among 
the dead, and see if he is not there. 

Aldemon : Sebastian ! Sebastian ! Why, that is a Christian 
name ! 

All the Guards : He was a Christian. 

One of the Guards : And a dreadful one too. 

Aldemon : Has he dared to revolt in my palace and defy my 
vengence ! The traitor ! 

One of the Guards : {After examining the dead): Sebastian 
is not among the dead. 

Aldemon : No more doubt ! It is he, the cursed Christian, who 
committed this horrible deed, and who, thinking himself lost ? 
has run away like a coward before his enemy. Have all the 
exits of the city guarded. A sum of one thousand golden sous 
will be given to the one who will discover where that per- 
fidious knave is. No delay ; set out to work and bring him 
dead or alive. Have all the most secret parts of the city 
searched. {They leave, Aldemon turning toward the cell of 
Don Garcias) It is thy deed, superb Christian, but thou art 
still my prisoner. On thee I will have my revenge. 

Scene — A Street in Toledo. 
Ben David is met by D. Sebastian in disguise. 

D. Sebastian : Hello ! Ben David ! Where art thou going ? Dost 
thou wish to buy a precious jewel ? 

Ben David : Show it to me ; but who art thou ? 

D. Sebastian : {Drawing out of his pocket the necklace) : I am a 
Christian knight. Look at it, how beautiful it is ! 

Ben David : Very, very nice ! How much for it ? 

D. Sebastian : Two hundred thousand golden sous. 

Ben David : That is too much. 

D. Sebastian : 200,000 golden sous — yes or no ? {He starts to 
leave. Ben David calls hiin back.) 



20 

Ben David, {taking out his put se) : Here is one half of the sum ; 
as for the other half, by presenting this check to Reuben, it 
will be paid to thee. 

U. Sebastian : Good-bye, Ben David. We will probably meet 
one another again. {Exit.) 

Ben David : Prince Aldemon will surely give five hundred 
thousand golden sous for this necklace ; it is the finest I have 
ever seen. {He runs off, as fast as he can.) 

Scene — A Room in the Palace of Aldemon. 

Aldemon, {searching among his papers) : The situation becomes 
a little difficult, just at the moment when I thought of marrying 
my daughter. The King Alfonso threatens to invade my 
territories, if I do not liberate D. Garcias. Does he think I 
am a fool ? (Ali enters.) What news, Ali ? 

Ali : Ben David has just arrived and wishes to see you. 

Aldemon : Show him in. {Ben David and Ali enter. To Ali) • 
Remain Ali, I want to show thee the beautiful presents which 
I intend to give to my daughter for her marriage. ( To Ben 
David) : Show what thou hast. {Ben David takes one jewel 
after the other out of his box.) It is not handsome enough ? 

Ben David, {taking out another) : This one and this one 

Aldemon : Is that all ? 

Ben David : Oh ! No. I have another which is very beautiful ; 
it costs a good deal of money. {He takes the necklace.) 

Aldemon : This necklace is not thine ! Thou hast stolen it. It 
belongs to the princess. Look Ali. 

Ali : It is exactly the same ; it is a robbery ! 

Ben David : I did not steal it ; I bought it from a Christian 
knight. 

Aldemon : Thou liest ! A thief thou art, and deservest death ! 
(to Ali.) Take this man to the lions. {Ali orders the guards 
to seize him.) 



21 

Ben David : And my casket ! ! ! 

Aldemon : Do not mind ; I will keep it for thee. 

Ben David : Oh ! prince, grant me the time to prove my 
innocence. 

Aldemon : Well, to show thee that I do not desire thy death, I 
will permit the knight who gave thee the necklace, to en- 
counter the lions in thy place, if he be willing to come and 
thus prove thine innocence. 

Ben David : What to do ? I do not know his name ? 

Aldemon : At thy pleasure. Before to-morrow he must be here, 
or thou wilt have to encounter an African lion. 

Ben David : And my wife ! ! ! 

Aldemon : Pshaw ! What do I care about thy wife ! Why 
didst thou take one ? Thou canst send her a note and tell her 
that thou hast the honor of remainiug in my palace for a few 
days. 

Ben David : I would rather like not to have that honor, and be 
out of your hands. 

Aldemon : Take this man away ! 



22 



ACT III. 

The stage represents a large hall of the palace. 



Aldemon before his table is waiting; Ali comes in. 



Aldemon : What news. Ali ? 

Ali : We have not yet been able to discover anything about 
Sebastian ; however I have had the most secret parts of the 
city searched. 

Aldemon : Thinkest thou he has left the city ? 

Ali : I do not think so, my lord ; I hope that sooner or later he 
will fall into our hands. But what to do with Ben David ? 

Aldemon : Does he still persist in not confessing his crime ? 

Ali : I cannot tell, my lord, but he has sent a note to his wife, 
and to Reuben, the richest Jew in Toledo ; he firmly believes 
that the knight will come to his help. 

Aldemon : Bring him here immediately. (Ali exit.) Perhaps 
by the most fearful menaces I will compel him to confess his 
crime. He thinks a Christian knight will expose his life to 
save a Jew's life. (He walks up and down. Ali enters with 
Ben David.) (To Ben David): Thou dost still persist in 
not confessing thy crime ; and thou fearest not my severe 
judgements. 

Ben David : I know that your power is great, and that it is 
dangerous to fall into your hands, but to speak the truth, I 
bought the necklace from a Christian knight. 

Aldemon : Hold thy tongue, miserable knave ! How could that 
necklace have fallen into the hands of a Christian knight, for a 
few days ago, it adorned the neck of my daughter, the princess 
Cassilda ! Thou hast stolen it, and if not, thou hast been an 
accomplice and a receiver of stolen goods. Therefore thou 
deservest the most severe punishment. 



23 

Ben David {kneeling at his feet) : I swear before heaven and earth 
that I have spoken the truth. 

Aldemon : Do not swear. 

Ben David : Furthermore I do not doubt the honesty of the 
knight who sold it to me, and that it was his legitimate 
property. Do you believe, if I were not innocent, I would have 
been foolish enough to appear before you to exhibit my 
beautiful jewels ! 

Aldemon : We shall soon know the truth, for I see the princess 
coming. (AH starts to leave.) (To AH): Remain to be the 
witness of this Jew's falsehood. 

Ben David : I hope she will tell the truth ; but perhaps it is too 

late ! (Cassilda enters.) 
Aldemon : Dost thou know, Cassilda, to whom this necklace 

belongs ? 
Cassilda : Yes, father, this is the one that adorned my neck a 

few days ago. 

Aldemon : Then how has it fallen into the hands of this wretched 
Jew, who persists in swearing that he bought it from a Chris- 
tian knight ! 

Cassilda : Ben David tells the truth, for I gave it in alms to a 
Christian knight 

Ben David, (kneeling before Aldemon) : You see, my lord, that I 
am innocent. Oh ! I pray you, let me go free. 

Aldemon, (to AH): Take this man out of my sight. (Exit.) 
(To Cassilda.) What! Cassilda! have I heard the truth ? — 
Thou hast given this necklace to a Christian knight ! Thee, 
the daughter of the Prophet ! Why cast thy pearls before the 
dogs ? Didst thou not know the value of this necklace ? 

Cassilda : I did, father, but I knew also that, when princes give 
presents, they should be royal ones. After all, are not Chris- 
tians thy subjects as well as others ? Why should I show them 
disdain and repulse ? 

Aldemon : Cassilda, thou bearest more affection than becomes 
thee toward those cursed infidels ; beware of the fearful 
judgements of the Prophet ! 



24 

Cassilda : The Prophet was an impostor, and CHRIST is 
£OD alone. {They remai?i a few minutes in silence?) 

Aldemon : Enough about that matter. Take a seat ; I have 
more serious things to tell which concern thee alone. 

Cassilda : Speak, father, I listen. 

Aldemon : The Emir of Saragossa, the most powerful, the first 
after myself, has sent a messenger to inform me of his arrival, 
and his intention to ask thee in marriage. This great honor 
I did not think of refusing, and in thy name I have accepted 
his proposition. 

Cassilda, {at his feet) : Oh, father ! I implore thee, do not give 
me in marriage to that man. 

Aldemon, {getting up) : That is too much Cassilda. The prophet 
an impostor! and thou refusest! I shall have my revenge! 
[Exit.] 

Cassilda : My fate will not be delayed, if left to his decision. 
Oh, my God ! come to my assistance ! [Exit.] 

Aldemon {returning with AH, and looking around) : Cassilda ? 
Where is she ? This is the place where I have left her. She 
will have to obey ; otherwise great misfortunes will fall on 
her ! It is the work of that cursed Christian, to whom she 
gave the necklace. [Exit?] 

Garden of the palace, [near the prison.) 

Cassilda : My heart is filled with anxiety, he ought to be here ! 
Perhaps he has been arrested and sentenced to death ! What 
will my existence be without him to love any more ! O cruel 
father ! Whence dost thou draw so much hatred against 
those I most deeply love ! In thy company I have been 
breathing for many years an atmosphere of blood and vice ; 
thou hast made me suffer tortures unknown that kill the soul. 
When shall an end be put to so many iniquities !— From the 
one I love thou wishest to separate me ! But thou hast not 
yet my consent ; to the end I will contend against thee ! The 
cup is too full ! {Don Sebastian comes in.) O my Sebastian ! 
{She throws herself into his arms?) 



25 

D. Sebastian : Thy heart is sad, Cassilda ; tears have escaped 
from thy gentle eyes ! Has any mortal offended thee ? 

Cassilda : Over thee I was lamenting, and I longed to see thy 
noble face. Thy presence gives me new courage. With thee 
alone, Sebastian, I feel safe. 

D. Sebastian : Thy words, have of my spirit shaken the good 
resolutions ; but I must to the last be generous. — I have come 
to say to thee a last farewell, before entering the arena ; be- 
cause I do not know whether we shall meet again on this 
earth ! 

Cassilda : So thou art going to forsake me, Sebastian. Thou 
abandoneth me ! Where are thy promises ! Thou dost not 
love any more ! — Oh ! Say thou still lovest me ! 

D. Sebastian : Dearest Cassilda, thee I love more than ever ; 
thee I love more than myself. Heaven knows how much it 
pains me to act thus with thee ; but I cannot let an innocent 
old man contend alone against a ferocious beast. 

Cassilda : I have just begun to love thee, and I must lose thee ! 
Oh ! Sebastian ! Sebastian ! Do not make me thus suffer ; 
tell me that thou wilt not abandon me ! Let us leave this 
palace, and seek for another place more secure ! 

D. Sebastian : My duty is to remain here. 

Cassilda : What has that old Jew to do with thee ? Why has 
he come at this moment ? Oh ! Love ! How deceitful thou 
art ! Thou always livest surrounded by many thorns ! 

D. Sebastian : Thy tears move deeply my heart, Cassilda. 
Dost thou want to see me a shame before the world ! I have 
promised to encounter an African lion instead of Ben David. 
Oh ! tell me, Cassilda. canst thou bear the sight of an old man 
unjustly condemned to contend with a wild ferocious beast ? 

Cassilda : O noble, courageous Sebastian ! of thee I am proud ! 
So thou art going to cover thyself with glory and leave me in 
the shame ! Oh ! No ! Never ! Wherever thou mayest go, I 
shall follow thy footsteps, to conquer or die with thee. 

D. Sebastian : Here thou must remain, Cassilda. God is power- 
ful. He will watch over us, and grant the victory to our arms. 



26 

Cassilda : As I cannot contend against lions and tigers, I will 

contend against men. I will go to my father and implore his 

pity. 
D. Sebastian : It is too late. All is ready for the contest. 
Cassilda : Oh ! cruel father ! ! ! 
D. Sebastian : Farewell Cassilda, my deepest affection to thee ; 

Fare thee well ! 
Cassilda [She throws herself into his arms} : O Sebastian, stay ! 

Remain with me, I fear some danger. 

D. Sebastian : I cannot. Farewell ! 1 I shall see you again. 
Farewell, Cassilda. 

Cassilda : Then thou goest ! Thine am I forever ! Farewell ! 
[Exit D. Sebastian. She falls on her knees.} O God of victory, 
grant him the success, and give him back to my love ! [Exit.] 

In the palace. — Aldemon, Ben David, All. 

Aldemon : Well, Ben David, dost thou still persevere in what 
thou didst say ? Remember that thou wilt have to contend 
with an Africian lion. 

Ben David : Oh ! my lord, you cannot really think of making an 
old man fight with a ferocious wild beast which could resist 
ten men ! [Then the sound of a horn and a loud roaring are 
heard.] 

Aldemon : Listen, Ben David ; hearest thou the first signal, and 
the roaring of the lions impatient to salute thee ? [To AH,] 
What news ? Hast thou been able to discover anything about 
that Christian's footsteps ? 

Ali : No, my noble master. I have had all the corners of the 
city searched, given orders to my soldiers to keep good guard ; 
and I do not understand why that fool hopes to see him 
appear, like a ghost for his deliverance. 

Ben David : Oh ! God of my fathers ! where to find protection 
if thou forsaketh me ! All is over with me, since the Christian 
knight has left the city. [The sound of the horn is heaid 
again.] 



27 

Aldemon : The second signal, Ben David. Cheer up thy mind 
to salute thy new guests. [To Ali,] Keep good guard, for I 
do not think the knight has left the city. [The sowid of the 
hor?i is heard for the third time, more prolonged^] [To Ben 
David.] Now be ready to encounter the lions, the time has 
come. 

Ben David : Have mercy on me, and God will have mercy on 
you. 

Aldemon : Confess thy crime, and thee I will release. 

Ben David : I am innocent, and 

Aldemon : Then go ! The God of thy fathers will not fail to 
come fothy assistance, if thou art not guilty. I want to know 
how powerful he is. [Ali takes hold of the Jew and is ready 
to go, when all of a sudden enters. Don Sebastian.'] 

D. Sebastian : Another moment, prince. 

Aldemon : Who art thou to dare to speak as a master here ? 

D. Sebastian : Thou shalt know it soon. 

Ben David : Sebastian ! the Christian knight ! 

D. Sebastian: Yes, I am Sebastian! Hearing that Aldemon 
was generous enough to permit me to encounter the African 
lions in the place of an old innocent man, I have come to 
solicit the glory to plead his cause and prove his innocence. 
[Ali draivs his sword.] 

Ali : Is it thus thou darest to speak to thy master ? 

D. Sebastian [with drawn sword] : Thy threatenings are use- 
less ; I am stronger than thee. 

Ben David : Now prince show yourself worthy of the crown you 
wear, by liberating me. 

Aldemon : Curb thy tongue, wretched Jew ; I know what I have 
to do. Take them immediately to the lions ; I will have my 
revenge. [Exit by the opposite side.] 

D. Sebastian : Cruel prince ! The time will come when thou 
shalt also shed tears of sorrow. I do not fear thy vengence- 
[To Ben David.] Cheer up thy mind, have confidence in the 



28 

Almighty above. \\Vhispering to Ben David] The people 
are in a great excitement, and ready to revolt at the first 
occasion. [Exeunt all.] 

A Cell in the Prison. 

An old man, with a long white beard and a brown gown, is seen 
kneeling before a cross roughly painted on the wall. 



Eulogius : I have heard, I think, the roaring of the lions. For 
sure another Christian has been condemned to death. O God! 
grant him to be courageous until the last. [ Turning around 
he sees Cassilda coming in.] Is it you, Cassilda, who comes 
once more to visit the prisoners ? 

Cassilda : Yes, father. 

Eulogius : In hearing you I have a presentiment that you are 
threatened with some great danger. 

Cassilda : You have said it A great misfortune, greater than 
the deepest misery, threatens me. My father wants me to 
marry the Emir of Saragossa who, in a few moments, will 
come to present me his homages. You understand how en- 
tirely it is impossible for me to be united to a man who scorns 
at all that I most love and venerate ; a man who under his 
feet tramples with contempt all that I worship and love. I 
have implored my father to decline this offer, telling him that 
I could not marry a man whom I despise, but all in vain ! In 
this extremity I have come to you, father, to have your opinion 
on that matter. 

Eulogius : Obey your father, my child, if he require from you 
to see the Emir of Saragossa. As for the marriage, you are 
free to follow your inclination. The threatenings and impre- 
cations of your father do not engage you in the least. Tell 
the Emir, in respectful and polite terms that you decline his 
offer, thinking you are not able to repay him with a love equal 
to his. No doubt the Emir will be deeply vexed, but have 
courage, my child, Heaven will protect and deliver you from 
his anger. 



29 

Cassilda : Your words have inflamed in my heart a new courage, 
and I am ready to suffer anything rather than to accept that 
man for my husband. 

Aldemon [^/m;^] : What! Cassilda! Here thou art ! How 
dost thou dare to seek the company of those cursed Chris- 
tians ! Oh ! degenerate daughter ! thus thou mockest thy 
father ! thou art then, as I can judge, the mysterious appa- 
rition who always protected the prisoners and deceived us. 
Shame on thee, Cassilda. Away from my sight ; since thou 
preferest to follow that race of infidels rather than to ac- 
knowledge the supreme and infallible laws of the Prophet. 
Away, thou art no longer my daughter ! 

Cassilda : I wish I were not. 

Aldemon {to Eulogius) : Thou also, cursed infidel, wishest to 
corrupt my daughter. Oh ! my vengence will have no end ! 
{He pushes him, and throws him to the floor, and draws his 
sword. Cassilda steps between them.) 

Aldemon : Away, Cassilda ! 

Cassilda : Strike now if thou darest. This old man is innocent, 
and deserves more respect. If anyone must be blamed, it is I, 
who willingly have come to learn from him how to live and 
die. His company is far more agreeable to me than that of 
all those who frequent thy palace. 

Aldemon : Enough, Cassilda ! Go and see the Emir who is 
waiting for thee in the large room of the palace. 

Eulogius : Obey, my child, and have courage. The struggle 
has commenced. Persevere, and your crown will be glorious. 
God bless you, and guide your steps ! 

Aldemon : Curb thy tongue, viper, otherwise I will have thee put 
to death. 

Eulogius : Do as thou pleasest with me Aldemon. My body is 
in thy hands, torture it ; but my soul belongs to a more power- 
ful Master, who also shall be thy Judge. 
{Ben David charged with chains enters, led by a guard.) 



30 

Aldemon : Here is a companion, Eulogius ; teach him how he 
must, with patience and resignation, endure his misfortune. 
Teach him also, the best way to fight the lions and tigers. He 
does not seem to be animated with the same courage ( To 
Ben David.) Be comforted, Ben David ; here thou wilt be in 
good company ; do not fear. {He pushes him in the cell, and 
Eulogius receives him in his arms.) 

Eulogius : Have courage, dear friend ; hope in God, whatever 
may be the cause for your imprisonment. {To Aldemon.) Thou 
triumphest now, cruel prince ; but thy victory shall be of short 
duration {Raising his hands and eyes toward Heaven?) Get 
thee ready to appear before thy Judge. I hear the clashing 
of arms, and I see in the skies thy defeat written in bloody 
letters ; thy end is drawing nigh. 

Aldemon {to the guard): Take them away. {Aldemon alone.) At 
the sound of his voice I feel my blood stop in my veins — But, 
what a foolish idea! — What have I to fear? Am I not all 
powerful ? Who can resist me ? Yes, I will exterminate that 
race of infidels ! 

Large Salon of the Palace. 

Yaha, [alone] : At last I have succeeded ; in a few days I shall 
lead to the altar the daughter of prince Aldemon, but — she is 
coming. Great Heavens ! how beautiful she looks ! One 
would think that she is a goddess. [He goes to meet her.] 
Princess, my heart overflows with joy in seeing you. 

Cassilda : I am most honored to receive your homages. 

Yaha : I have come here with the consent of your father, to ask 
from you a very great favor, the greatest favor I could ever 
ask. 

Cassilda : Speak, I listen to you. 

Yaha : Since I saw you first, my admiration for you has grown 
greater every day ; to that admiration has succeeded a strong 
and sincere love that makes me desire to unite my existence 
to yours ; therefore, noble princess, I place at your feet all my 
wealth, and I pray you to accept the homage of my most 
sincere love and attachment to you. [He kneels before her.] 



31 

Cassilda : Arise. I am indeed greatly honored to receive your 
kind regards, and I appreciate them as I ought ; but I will let 
you know that I cannot accept your proposition, as my choice 
is already made. 

Yaha : What ! is it really so ? Thus did not Aldemon speak. 

Cassilda : My father answered your proposition without consult- 
ing me. His interest, his ambition claims this alliance ; but 
my heart is far from it. Such is the answer I have to give you. 

Yaha : Are not rank, riches, pleasures, enough to gain your 
heart, Cassilda ? What can I offer more precious ? 

Cassilda : They are too much for me ; as I do not long for them 
at all. A pure heart with less riches is far more precious. 

Yaha : Then it is a refusal in spite of the promises of your father? 

Cassilda : It is as I have said. 

Yaha : Consider, noble princess, how furious your father will be. 
He has already ordered the most magnificent presents to be 
offered to you. 

CassiLDA : They will be for another. I shall never accept for 
husband a man whom I do not love enough in my heart. 

Yaha : In time you will learn how to love me ; I shall endeavor 
to make you the happiest of women. 

Cassilda : You have heard what I said ; I do not love you now, 
and I shall never love you hereafter. 

Yaha, [kneeling before her and taki?ig her hand] ; Oh, Cassilda ! 
do not rebuke me thus ; I deeply love you. [Cassilda steps 
back and Yaha tries to seize her.] 

Cassilda : Do not touch me. You have heard my answer. I am 
ready to suffer anything rather than to accept you for my 
husband. [Yaha approaches.] Away from me, or I call the 
guards of my father. [She pushes her chair before her.] 

Yaha : I am master here now ; Aldemon has given me full power 
to act as I please. 

Cassilda : But I command you to leave this place. 



32 

Yaha : Ah ! you resist. [Looking around, he prepares to seize her :] 

Cassilda, [drawing a stilleto] : If you advance, I kill you. Away 
scoundrel, leave this room. 

Yaha, [stepping back\ ; I will not use violence with you ; but I 
will have my revenge. 

Cassilda : Go, you never loved me ! 

Yaha : Thus you refuse. [Exit.] 

Cassilda : I do. Go ! Deliver me from your presence ! Now I 
am free ; the most difficult step has been made ; I will never 
have that man for my husband. But what will my father say ? 
I dread to appear before him ! I seem to hear him pronounce 
the most dreadful imprecations, condemn me to the most 
absolute solitude. 

Aldemon, [entering] : Cassilda ! Cassilda ! 

Cassilda : Father ! 

Aldemon : Then thou refusest to accept the Emir for husband, 
after all I have promised him. 

Cassilda : It is a demon whom thou wishest me to marry. 

Aldemon : How long wilt thou continue thy favors to those mis- 
erable imbeciles, whom Allah has cursed from their cradles ! 
Dost thou think I can stand this any longer ? I hate them, 
and will have them disappear from the face of the earth. 

Cassilda : I cannot and will not accept that man for my husband, 
for I am a Christian. 

Aldemon : Oh ! degenerate child. Shame be upon thee, un- 
worthy daughter, who darest to laugh at the most sacred 
religion of the prophet. Away from me with that cursed race! 
My malediction shall forever follow thee ! 

Cassilda : Oh, father, stop ! be not so prodigal of thy curses ! 

Aldemon : Renounce thy mysteries, and accept the Emir for 
husband. 

Cassilda : No ! never ! never ! Death is far preferable than 
perjury. 



Aldemon : As thou hast no pity for me, I banish thee from my 
palace ; go wherever thou choosest, thou art no longer my 
daughter. 

Cassilda : With pleasure I will leave this place where I breathe 
an atmosphere of vice and cruelty. {She leaves, and the roar- 
ing of lions is heard. Two doors open and the amphitheatre is 
seen.) 

Aldemon : Remain, Cassilda, at the triumph of Christians thou 
shalt assist. {He takes her to the window looking on the 
arena.) Look yonder there, the lions are seeking for their 
new guests. Dost thou see that young Christian, so proud ? 
He is without any doubt the one of thy choice. That Christian, 
so brave, so generous, and whom thou so much admirest, is 
Sebastian. 

Cassilda : Thou hatest him because he is a Christian ! 

Aldemon : Yes, I do hate him ! 

Cassilda : Thou canst also hate me, for he is the one I love. 

Aldemon : Then get thee ready to sing a funeral hymn And 
that man is thy favorite Eulogius ! They will not be too much 
for an African lion. 

Cassilda : What ! father ! an innocent old man, to the lions ! 
never shall I bear that horrible sight. I would rather en- 
counter the lions and shed my blood, than to let an innocent 
man be unjustly slaughtered. 

Aldemon : Go to thy shame and damnation ! ! 

Cassilda : To my triumph and an endless love ! {Exit.) 

Aldemon : How I do hate those Christians, who stole my 
daughter from my heart ! 

Ali, {entering): Your orders, my lord and master, have been 
executed. An African lion has entered the arena and has 
already dismounted the knight ; the people seem to be in a 
great excitement. {The roaring of the lion and the shouts of 
the people a? e heard — and all becomes quiet.) 



34 



Aldemon : His last hour has already sounded; the lion has surely 
dispatched him to the darkest regions of hell. {Suddenly 
shouts are heard :) "Courage Sebastian, courage!" [after a 
pause,) "Victory! victory J" {A lde7iion frightened, goes to the 
window ; the noise seems to increase.) Ali, what does all this 
mean ? Is it approbation or disapprobation, is it a revolt ? Go 
immediately to that mob, command in my name that all retire 
quietly, and bring before me Sebastian. {Ali leaves!) Have 
the Jews and Christians revolted against me ? But what have 
I to fear from such a vile mob ? Am I not in my palace ? 
{In going out he meets Ali. Shouts of "To the palace" are 
heard in every direction ; the people also shout " Down with 
the tyrant /" 

Ali : It is too late, noble lord and master ; the people have re- 
volted and the palace is besieged ; all the entrances are 
strongly guarded, and Sebastian followed by his men comes 
this way. We are betrayed ! 

Aldemon : Then what to do ? 

Ali : Wait in this palace with calm and patience until we find a 
way of getting out. 

Aldemon : Thinkest thou I will ever bear to become the prisoner 
of a Christian ! 

Ali : Fate does not seem to offer you any other choice ; to resist 
is useless. {Then Sebastian appears with his men.) 

D. Sebastian : ( With his sword covered with blood) : God has 
decided the issue and borne testimony to the innocence of 
Ben David. Now Aldemon show thyself worthy of the crown 
thou wearest, and keep thy word ; let Ben David and the 
other prisoners go free, and extend thy generosity to me by 
giving me the safe conduct which thou hast promised. 

Aldemon : Curb thy tongue, insolent viper. Aldemon has no 
lesson to learn from a Christian. Thou art still in my power, 
and immediately I shall see thy head roll at my feet. 

D. Sebastian : I am thy master, Aldemon, and my prisoner thou 
art. 



35 

Ali, {with drawn sword) : Coward ! Traitor ! {D. Sebastian 
with o?ie stroke of his sword sends Alts sword down to the 
ground. He steps tipon it, and orders his men to seize him.) 

Aldemon, {with rage, drawing out his sword) : I am thy prisoner ! 
Never ! {He advances toward him. At that moment Cassilda 
comes in, and throws herself into the arms of D. Sebastian) 

Cassilda : Safe again ! O my Sebastian ! 

D. Sebastian : Heaven has been for us, Cassilda. 

Aldemon : What ! Thou art here ! Retire from my presence ! 
Vengeance ! Hell for you both ! 

Cassilda : Yes, I am here ! and I shall stand for love and 
justice, even against thee ! D. Sebastian has conquered, be 
faithful to thy promises, and liberate the prisoners. 

Aldemon : Away ! ! I know what I have to do. 

Cassilda : Thou wilt have to step over my body before thou 
dost strike him. 

Aldemon, {bra?idishing his sword, as if he were ready to strike 
her ; but D. Sebastian adva?ices and prevents him from doing 
it.) Away •! Away ! 

D. Sebastian : Stop, unhearted father ! Are not innocent victims 
good enough for thy insane hatred ? Thou still dost want to 
wash thy hands in the blood of thy noble daughter. {Aldemo?i 
let his sword fall.) 

Cassilda : Oh ! Sebastian ! Have mercy on my father ; spare 
his life ! 

D. Sebastian : In thy name, Cassilda, and for thy noble virtues, 
I will have pity on Aldemon. The King of Castile, whose 
army is near, will decide on his sort. Be assured that I 
shall do all that is in my power to have him well treated. 

Aldemon : I do not want any pity, cursed Christian ! Con- 
summate thy crime, by taking my life, after such an insult. I 
hate thee, and I wish that thy sect would entirely disappear 
from the face of the earth, 



36 

Cassilda : Father, in this day confess the severe justice of God, 
and submit thyself to His power. 

Aldemon : Away ! Thy presence makes me mad with fury ! 

D. Garcias, {coming in) : Sebastian ! My son ! 

Aldemon : D. Garcias ! The prisoners have escaped ! Coward ! 

D. Garcias : Yes. I am awaiting for thee to set me free. The 
times have changed ; to-day thou art no longer an insolent 
potentate, but a humble prisoner ! 

Aldemon, {with rage) : No ! Never! I hate you all. {He draws 
out a poniard and stabs himself ; he falls dead. Cassilda 
gives out a cry, and falls on her father s dead body. 



37 

^lGT IV. 

Apartment of Cassilda 



Cassilda : He is gone, and my father is dead ! O Sebastian ! 
Sebastian ! What hast thou done ! My love for thee seems 
to turn into hatred ; and still in my heart, I cannot hate thee . 
Thy image, follows me every where ; from my eyes I wish to 
chase it ; but they refuse to obey. Does not the dead body of 
my father claim vengeance ! Can a true lover seek for ven- 
geance against the one he loves ! Oh ! I wish I were not of 
this world ! What tortures I do endure ! The thought of 
thee, Sebastian, fills my heart with opposite passions. I want, 
and I want not. Thee I chase away and with more enticing 
charms thou comest back. Thee I hate not. {Yaha comes in 
unseen.) 

Yaha, [low voice) : Now is the favorable moment. 

Cassilda, {seeing Yaha) ; What dost thou want ! 

Yaha : All is over with him. Thy father's death is avenged. 

Cassilda : What dost thou mean to say by these words. 

Yaha :' He is gone, gone forever ! I saw his corpse brought to 
his last resting place. 

Cassilda : Dead ! So soon ! ! ! 

Yaha : Yes, dead ! 

Cassilda : And thou didst kill him ! ! 

Yaha : I did ; he had already lived too long. 

Cassilda : Cruel ! Thou art worse than a blood thirsty tiger ! 
Go far from me ! Thee I hate ! 

Yaha : Thou still weepest for him ; thou weepest for thy father's 
murderer ! Thou thinkest he loved thee. 

Cassilda : Silence ! He is not the murderer of my father ! He 
is a noble and generous young man ! 



38 

Yaha : Yes He is a coward, and a traitor too. 

Cassilda : Away ! ! Thou art a villain ! Retire from my 
presence ! Do not add insult to my grief ! 

Yaha, (drawing out a paper) : Before I leave, read this paper. 

Cassilda, (after reading it): Is it possible ! Who gave it to 
thee ? 

Yaha : He himself gave it to me. 

Cassilda : Thou sayest a falsehood ; thy heart is black enough! 

Yaha : I swear that what I have said is the truth. 

Cassilda : Now remember if I ever disclose that thou hast said 
a falsehood, my most intense hatred shall follow thee, It will 
be an unceasing war between thee and me. (She is ready to 
leave.) 

Yaha : Give me back the paper. I want to keep it. 

Cassilda : For thee I shall keep it. This paper is mine ; it was 
intended for me, and not for thee. (She goes, and turning 
back, she sees Yaha buried in some thoughts.) There is some 
mystery in this ; I shall know all about it. Woe to thee, if thou 
hast deceived me ! (Exit.) 

Yaha : All is over with me, if I do not take the paper back from 
the hands of Cassilda. What will she say ? What will she 
think of me ? I must have that paper back, or leave the 
palace. I have no other choice left to me ! How I do hate 
that knight ! I wish he would fall into my hands ! I would 
not be long in dispatching him for another world. (He walks 
to and fro — Exit.) 

Scene — In the Garden. 

There is a grave. Cassilda is accompanied by her maid com- 
panion. She kneels, as if she tvere going to say a prayer. 

Julia : Princess, I have never seen you so dejected before ! Do 
you fear any danger ? 



Cassilda : I am overwhelmed with sorrow, Julia. The one I 
loved, D. Sebastian, after causing the death of my father, 
has ! ! ! I cannot believe it ! {She takes out the paper, and 
hands it to Julia.) Read this : tell me, can it be ? 

Julia : Dear mistress, I do not know who wrote this note, but it 
is a falsehood. Only an impostor has dared to write such a 
letter. 

Cassilda : How do you know it ? 

Julia : D. Sebastian himself told me to assure you that he would 
never forget you. 

Cassilda : Speak the truth, Julia, do not deceive me. 

Julia : Princess, I have spoken the truth. 

Cassilda : Whom shall I believe ? 

Julia : Oh ! Believe me, princess, I have said the truth ; and 
even more, D. Sebastian has promised to come to the palace, 
this very day. 

Cassilda : May heaven, if he be still alive, send him safe to this 
place. I must clear this mystery. Go to the prince, Julia, and 
tell him I will expect to see him in the large hall of the 
palace. 

Julia : Sweet dear mistress, do not tell him what I have told 

you ; do not expose me to his wrath ; I dread to be in his 

presence. 
Cassilda : Do not fear him, he will not live long But I see 

him coming to this place. {Julia is ready to go.) Remain 

with me. {Yaha comes in.) 

Cassilda : Thou comest for thy paper, I suppose. 

Yaha : Yes, I do ; and I must have it at any price. 

Cassilda : Now I perceive what is thy intention. Thou dost 
want to destroy the proof of thy infamy. Thou art an im- 
postor, a scoundrel ! Leave this place as soon as possible, thy 
presence makes me furious with hatred. 

Yaha : I shall leave, when I please, and not before thou givest 
back that paper. 



40 

Cassilda : Thou wilt never have it again ; that paper is mine. 
D. Sebastian never wrote it, never gave it to thee. 

Yah a : And who wrote it then ? 

Cassilda : Thou didst. 

Yaha : I ! ! 

Cassilda : Yes thyself, perjurious man ! 

Yaha : And to thee who told all this ? 

Cassilda : I did not want anyone to tell me. I know what thy 
black heart is able to do. 

Yaha : I see now, this little maid, this companion told thee the 
story. [He advances towards Julia.) 

Cassilda, {she draws a stilleto) : Away ! Do not come too near. 
Remember thou art in my house ; Here I rule. Go ! Here 
is thy paper. {She throws it on the floor and steps upon it.) 

Yaha, {to Julia) : I will have my revenge on thee ! 

Cassilda : You can retire, Julia. [She goes.) I know all thy 
rascalities. D. Sebastian hates me, and has departed from 
this life, thou sayest. Thou didst think, by thus acting, to force 
me to become thy wife. No ! Never ! I would rather marry 
the last of my servants than to have thee for my husband. 

Yaha : Indeed. Thou still dreamest of that proud young knight. 
But it is in vain ; thou wilt not see him any more. 

Cassilda : Art thou so sure of it ? 

Yaha : My men are watching all the entrances of the palace. 

Cassilda : And what dost thou intend doing ? 

Yaha : I will have him arrested and sentenced to death. 

Cassilda : Thou speakest as if thou wert master here. Be on 
thy guard ; thou mayst perhaps receive first the fatal stroke. 
I hate, I defy thee ; and I can assure thee that if, before to- 
morrow, thou hast not left the palace, life will have deserted 
thy body. {They leave. I). Sebastian comes in, disguised.) 



41 

D. Sebastian : This is, I suppose, the place where lay the mortal 
remains of prince Aldemon. {He goes to the gtave, and tin- 
covers his head) 

Yaha, {comes in, taps him on the shoulder) : What art thou 
doing here ? (D. Sebastian raises up, looks at him without 
saying a word.) 

Yaha : What art thou doing here ? Wilt thou speak or not ? 

D. Sebastian : What is thy name ? 

Yaha : I am Yaha, Emir of Saragossa. 

D. Sebastian : Indeed, thou art Yaha, Emir of Saragossa. What 
has that to do with me ? 

Yaha : I want thee to bend thy knee before me, and explain the 
reason why thou hast come to this place. 

D. Sebastian : I shall do so, if it pleases me. 
Yaha : Insolent ! ! ! (He draws his sword.) 

D. Sebastian : If thou wishest not to go to hell, to-day, it is 
better for thee to be quiet. Thy menaces do not frighten me. 
There lies a man who, like thee, wanted to be first in every- 
thing and everywhere ; to-day he is but a corpse. 

Yaha : Rascal ! Is it thus thou darest to speak, I will avenge 
this insult. 

D. Sebastian : I have a greater one to avenge, coward ! (Cas- 
silda comes in — they remain in suspense) 

Cassilda, (to Yaha): Here thou art still ! When wilt thou deliver 
me from thy presence, and let me breathe a purer air ? How 
long art thou going to mock me ? Thou abusest me, because 
I am a woman ; but in my bosom beats a man's heart. 

D. Sebastian, (bending his knee): Excuse, noble lady, my 
presence in this place. I did not intend to occasion so much 
excitement around me. Here is a message. (He hands a 
letter. She reads and kisses the letter.) 



42 

Casstlda : O my Sebastian ! How I wish thou wert here to 
avenge this insult! {To Yaha.) Here is the proof of thy 
falsehood. Thou art an impostor, and dost not deserve the 
name of man ! Read this : 

Yaha, {after reading) : Hell ! ! I am a dead man, if I do not 
impede him to come here. {He is ready to leave.) 

Cassilda : Give back this letter. 

Yaha : To-morrow thou shalt have it with his corpse. {He turns 
back and wants to go, but D. Sebastian seizes him by the shoulder 
and takes the letter.) 

D. Sebastian : This paper and his corpse are not yet thine. 

Yaha, {drawing out his sword) : Rascal ! ! ! 

D. Sebastian {throws off his cloak and mask. He draws out his 

sword.) 

Cassilda : Sebastian ! My Sebastian ! 
Yaha, {quite astonished} : Don Sebastian ! ! ! 

D. Sebastian : Yes, I am here to avenge this insult. It is too 
late for thee to turn back. Get thee ready to breathe thy last 
breath. 

Cassilda : Now, superb cousin, here is a chance to cover thyself 
with glory. Before a woman alone thou wast courageous 
enough; here is a man, a real nobleman; show him what 
thou art able to do. [To D. Sebastian^] I pray thee, do thy 
best, Sebastian ; he greatly deserves to go to hell. 

D. Sebastian : I do not fear him, he is a coward, [laha ad- 
vances; they fight. At last 1 aha falls mortally wounded.} 

D. Sebastian, [at Cassilda' s feet] : At thy feet I deposit my vic- 
tory. [Seeing a little poniard in her hands.] What does this 
poniard mean, Cassilda ? 



43 

Cassilda : I would have killed myself, if thou hadst succumbed 
in the contest, rather than to become the wife of that beast. 
But now I do not need it. [S/ie throws it away.] I fear him 
no more. I will be thy wife. Thou hast conquered, Sebastian ; 
to thee I belong, and I shall follow thee wherever thou mayst 
go. 

D. Sebastian : Cassilda, let us leave this place of sorrow, and 
hasten our journey to the castle of Don Garcias. [Cassilda 
and D. Sebastian send a last farewell to the tomb of Alde?non^\ 

Curtain falls. 



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